Thank you for looking at my item.
I have stock.
Product Description
Fox Inari Shrine Statue carved from Okazaki Natsuyama Stone.
We will ship the fox shown in the photo. The black parts are biotite.
📏 Product Details
| Title |
Fox Inari Shrine Statue — Natsuyama Stone |
| Brand |
Tomatsu Stone Works |
| Material |
Natsuyama Stone (Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) |
| Length |
4.22 in / 11 cm |
| Width |
9.45 in / 24 cm |
| Height |
14.17 in / 36 cm |
| Weight |
24.5 lbs / 11.1 kg |
| Year Made |
2000 |
| Parts |
One piece |
| Shipping Method |
Air (UPS / DHL) |
About Tomatsu Stone Works
Stone Carving Works Tomatsu (Tomatsu Stone Works) is a stone workshop founded in 1902. The fourth-generation master, a graduate of an art university, specializes in crafting Buddhist statues, guardian lion-dog statues (Komainu), busts, and dragon sculptures. It is a professional studio that produces these stone artworks upon request from other Japanese stonemasons.
About Inari Shrines and Foxes
At Inari shrines in Japan, foxes (kitsune) are not worshiped as gods themselves, but serve as divine messengers of Inari Ōkami, the Shinto deity of agriculture, fertility, business success, and prosperity.
What Is an Inari Shrine?
Inari shrines are dedicated to Inari Ōkami, one of the most widely venerated deities in Japan. There are more than 30,000 Inari shrines throughout the country, with the most famous being Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto.
Why Are Foxes Present at Inari Shrines?
- Inari is the god of rice and agriculture, and foxes were believed to protect grain from pests like mice.
- Foxes were seen as mysterious, intelligent creatures with supernatural powers.
- Living in rural and mountainous areas, foxes were viewed as intermediaries between the divine and human worlds.
Guardian Fox Statues (Koma-kitsune)
At Inari shrines, a pair of fox statues is typically placed at the entrance or near the main hall. These foxes resemble the traditional guardian lion-dog statues (komainu) and are often depicted with symbolic items:
-
Right fox (mouth open / "A" form): Often holding a jewel or key.
-
Left fox (mouth closed / "Un" form): May hold a scroll or rice stalk.
This pairing symbolizes the “A-Un” breathing—the beginning and end of all things, a common motif in Japanese religious architecture.
The White Fox Legend
The foxes associated with Inari are often depicted as white foxes, symbolizing purity and divinity. Legends say that white foxes appeared to humans as messengers of Inari, delivering guidance or performing miracles.
About Natsuyama Stone
Okazaki Natsuyama Stone is a type of granite quarried around Natsuyama in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. It was formed from magma that solidified deep underground about 60 to 90 million years ago (late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic period). Characterized by its bluish-gray tone, fine grain, and uniform texture, it combines beauty with excellent workability and durability.
For centuries, it has been widely used by Okazaki stonemasons to create traditional works such as stone lanterns, Jizo statues, gorinto pagodas, and gravestones.
-
Color: Calm bluish-gray with refined elegance. Polishing produces a soft luster.
-
Texture: Fine crystals allow precise carving and smooth finishes.
-
Durability: High hardness and weather resistance, suitable for outdoor monuments and gardens.
How About Your Guardian Deity?
This fox statue brings a sense of protection and presence to any space, whether as garden décor or a symbolic ornament.
About the Seller
I am a seller who offers many authentic Japanese products.
My store is 100% genuine.
I have posted many pictures of the items I sell.
Please check my other items if you are interested.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime.
